Lower North Platte River Basin
January 1997

Snow
Higher than normal snowfall across the basin has caused near record snow water
equivalent (SWE). Deer and LaPrele Creeks are currently at 196 percent of
average. The Sweetwater drainage is close behind with 187 percent. The
Laramie River drainage is about 41 percent above average. The basin average
SWE is now 156 percent of normal. This is 43 percent ahead of what it was
last year at this time. For more information see Basin Summary of Snow
Courses at beginning of report.

Precipitation
December precipitation in the basin varied quite a lot. Of the reporting
stations, Carpenter came in with no precipitation for the month, while South
Pass City reported 473 percent of the December average. Three stations
reported over 400 percent for the month, 2 SNOTEL and the National Weather
Service site at South Pass City. December precipitation for the basin was 213
percent of average (244 percent of last year). The water year-to-date
precipitation for the basin is currently 151 percent of average (26 percent
ahead of last year).

Streamflow
At this time, above average yields are expected over the entire basin during
the April to September forecast period. All the following values are based
on the fifty percent chance probability runoff. The highest forecast is the
Sweetwater Drainage at 219 percent of average (160,000 acre feet). Below
Guernsey, the North Platte River should flow near 129 percent of average
(1,280,000 acre feet). Deer Creek is forecast to flow 70,000 acre feet (180
percent of average). LaPrele Creek should yield 160 percent of average
(40,000 acre feet). North Platte below Glendo should yield about 128 percent
of average (1,230,000 acre feet). Laramie River near Woods should yield about
119 percent of average (160,000 acre feet). The Little Laramie near Filmore
should flow 80,000 acre feet (125 percent of average).